asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make a statement on the herring fishing at Dunmore East, County Waterford; and if he is satisfied with the quota system as operated there.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Herring Fishing Quota System.
4.
Catches in the Celtic Sea herring fishery south of Dunmore East have been declining in recent years mainly because of poor spawning and heavy exploitation of the fishery in the past. Since 1974, an international catch quota regime has been operated in the fishery by the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission. The quota system has not proved effective in correcting the downward level of catches mainly because the Commission in fixing the annual quotas did not fully implement the scientific recommendations made to it.
My Department proposed more severe conservation measures for the current season but these were not acceptable to the other members of the Commission. In the absence of agreement we were not in a position on our own to implement adequate conservation measures in the fishery which extends a considerable distance beyond our national fishery limits.
Is the Minister aware of the annoyance and frustration of Irish fishermen fishing at Dunmore East in particular because of over-fishing there by foreign vessels and particularly by the amount of herring taken by Russian trawlers in that vicinity, and that there is a danger that the herring stocks could disappear completely? I understand they are at a dangerously low level. Does the Parliamentary Secretary agree with this view and that it would be disastrous for us if this were to happen?
Brief questions, please.
Is he aware that this has happened in the North Sea where the herring stocks have not recovered?
This is a very long question.
Is there any likelihood of this happening at Dunmore East? I would ask the Parliamentary Secretary to take a very serious view of it and to deal with the matter in the interests of our fishermen.
I have been worried regarding the conditions of the Celtic Sea fisheries for the past number of years since I took over this office. I have had consultations with fishermen who fish in that sea and also I have the recommendations of the NEAFC and our scientific advisers, not only our own but those attached to other countries. It is true to say that the scientific advice made available to us and to other countries was not acted upon. We adopted a more liberal attitude, rightly or wrongly. We did so because we were disinclined to reduce the catch quota too sharply. We now find ourselves in the position that the catches are declining and possibly for the ensuing year more drastic measures must be taken. In the last year we proposed that the catch quota would be not more than 10,000 tonnes. Added to that proposal we asserted that we should have the final say as to how this 10,000 catch should be apportioned. Our EEC partners did not agree with that. Then a total catch of 10,850 tons was set down, of which we were to get 6,500 tons. This is causing us worry. We have frequent conversations, as I already mentioned, with all parties concerned. The Deputy can be assured that this will be kept under constant review by the Department.
Could I ask for brevity in respect of questions and answers so that some appreciable progress can be made on other questions also?
I share the Parliamentary Secretary's concern about the stocks at Dunmore East. Would he take into account in any future reduction of catch the serious position of the Irish fleet there in particular and try to have their quota of the catch increased? Have they reached the quota that has been allocated to them this year?
The answer is in the negative. They have reached about two-thirds of the quota up to the present time. We are fortunate that, with the demand exceeding supply, prices have been proportionately high. This matter will pass over to the EEC next year and I cannot say what measures will be taken in the new circumstances so far as fisheries and their protection are concerned.
What percentage drop have we had since 1974 in the catch at Dunmore East?
The Irish catch in tons, going back a few years is: 1973-74, 11,000; 1974-75, 12,000; and, last year, 6,500. That is the target set down for this year.